//------------------------------//
// The Council 
// Story: MY LITTLE YAMATO 
// by RDFan1701 
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A week nearly passed before Luna returned. The journey home was a long, dreary, and lonely trip. Luna's ship being the only ship that survived the latest of the doomed battles with the Gamilus Ponies was finally docked beneath the surface. The Ponies under her command were granted several days worth of free time. Many chose to visit family, friends, others remained because they simply had no other place to go other than to serve Princess Luna. She pleaded with several to take some time off, but they wouldn't have it. She reluctantly allowed them to stay. But simply because she was both too tired to argue and she was needed at the council chambers immediately.

Almost instantly she began to regret coming home and being summoned here. Even before she entered the chamber, she could hear the council shouting at each other. Arguing back and forth upon what to do about Equestria now that the Defense Fleet had been almost completely wiped out. Another group was arguing on whom should be saved from Equestria's demise by escaping the planet, naturally the ones with the money seemed to be on the top of the list. Another argued simply for the sake of arguing.

Luna sighed and spoke to herself, "Is this really what has become of our once beautiful civilization? A bunch of bickering and pathetic foals?" Luna then suddenly felt a wing on her back which caused her to look up.

"They are only scared sister. Nothing more. Their home is in ruin and they can only think of survival, anypony would." Celestia said to calm her sisters worry.

Luna nodded as she took a deep breath, "Now for you to tell us all what you want." she said motioning a hoof towards the large council chamber.

"Yes. And this time, it is a message of hope."

Luna blinked and found herself unnervingly confused as to what her sister was speaking about. But then behind her came Princess Cadence, Princess Twilight, Shinging Armor, Spike, and Rainbow Dash. Luna blinked several times, trying to understand why they would be needing to be here. 

"Howdy ya'll! We ain't too late to the meetin' ah we?" Called a familiar country pony. Luna looked to her right spotting Applejack and Fluttershy approaching. Twilight practically beamed with excitement spotting two more of her friends entering. Of course that was cut brief by a flash of bright pink and several 'oof's' and 'umphs' as Twilight was literally tackled from a distance.

"Hey Twilight! Long time no see! I mean it's been a REALLY long time! Hey did you do something with your mane? It's a massive mess. Oh...wait, that was probably because of me. Sorry! Didn't mean to mess that up!" Said a bouncing Pinkie Pie.

"Why Darling, it has been a long time and you look as FABULOUS as ever! Minus the messy mane of course." Rarity spoke up as her horn glowed, "Don't worry! I'll have that fixed in a moment!" she called out.

Luna stood there agape at the sight, then smiled happy to see six friends reunited for the first time in a VERY long time. Even Spike seemed to change his mood spotting Rarity approaching. Luna approached them and cleared her throat getting their attention.

"I am happy to see you are all reunited, however, you all must be a bit more calm now. The session is about to start. Please, head inside after Celestia and myself and take your seats in front of ours." she began as Pinkie Pie began to bounce again before slapping a hoof over her mouth, "And not ONE outburst from you Pinkie Pie, no matter how excited you become."

"Awwwww bummer!" Pinkie Pie said calming down.

Luna rolled her eyes with a smile, "Anyway, please follow me." she continued turning around to face the entrance to the chamber, "Now remember, everything you hear in here is completely confidential, it does NOT leave the room. Is that understood?"

"Yes Princess." chimed out the six ponies that followed closely. To each they had their own thoughts and worries about this meeting. But to Twilight and Rainbow Dash, they knew what was going to be said, atleast in part. For now, it was all up to Princess Celestia to inform the council of what had taken place over the last few days. Something that at first would upset them, but then, hopefully would give them hope.

A moment passed before Celestia began the slow walk into the Chamber. Instantly every pony in the room stood up from their seats in respect for the four Princesses in the room. Celestia remained completely silent as she and the group reached their seats and waited for her to begin.

"Thank you all. Please, be seated." Celestia began, immediately the Ponies sat. "Now, to begin this Council Session, I would first like to brief you all on the latest developments that have occurred over the past several weeks." Celestia's horn lit up as she pulled down a projector screen from behind her and let it extend as far as it could. In the distance a projector sprang to life and began projecting images onto the screen.

Celestia looked outward as the lights began to dim. "Last week ago, the Defense Fleet tracked and engaged a large Gamilus fleet that was en route to Equestria. A battle was waged in which, unfortunately, we have lost. This has left the defense fleet crippled and unable to protect Equestria. We are down to one functioning Battleship Fillies and Gentlecolts." 

She let her words echo across the room, letting them sink in and let everypony react in the smallest ways they could. Celestia didn't like telling them this, but it was necessary. To lie to them now would be the worst thing possible. 

She took a deep breath and continued, "This leaves us at a terrible disadvantage as the Gamilus Ponies can continue their planet bomb attacks, or a landing operation on the surface of Equestria. However, this is a topic for later discussion. Today's session is being called to discuss a matter of grave importance and can possibly be the entire future of Equestria."

At that, Filthy Rich had to speak up, "Pardon me Princess, but how can the loss of our defense fleet be a topic of LATER discussion? That is a MASSIVE loss in not only pony life, but a substantial amount of money and resources. Things we can not simply get back at a whim." 

Money. That was all they could think about, money. Even when the world around them was coming to an end, money was the focus. To Luna, it disgusted her, how could these Ponies rise to power? Simply because of money and how much power they had before the war.

"And not to mention without the defense fleet we stand no chance of survival." He continued, "With all due respect Princess, you should be instead focusing on the evacuation plans that we have provided you with. All the 'proper' ponies have been selected. All we need is your word to start loading them and-"

Luna cut him off, "We aren't going ANYWHERE. This is our HOME and we will not ABANDON it." her voice boomed throughout the room. Several Ponies cringed at the terror she projected. But Filthy Rich, he simply fixed his monocle and cleared his throat.

"That Princess is precisely why we are going to end as a civilization. No we need to save those ponies that are 'important' to the survival of the Equestrian civilization." Filthy Rich was becoming a bigger and bigger thorn in Luna's side, "Further more, the Yamato Project is nearly complete and we should by all means, make haste to leave as soon as possible with the list I provided."

Luna stood up and shouted, "A list that places Ponies such as yourself at the top! What makes you better than say a farming pony? Or a pony who creates clothing for other ponies to wear?"

"Well, my status of course. And the fact that I and many others here have funded the project over the past-"

It was Celestia's turn to speak up, "Enough! I will not have you squabbling like two foals!" Luna and Filthy Rich sank back into their seats. "Now, as Luna said we are not leaving Equestria. That plan has been changed." Many gasps could be heard across the chamber. Whispers of, 'What does she mean?' and 'How could she?' could be heard, but just barely. Another reaction Celestia had guessed would happen.

"Less than one week ago, a capsule from another world crashed on Equestria, in the old Ponyville site." She continued as an image of the golden capsule was projected on the screen behind her. "Inside was an Alicorn from another planet. Her name was Astra of Iscandar, Third Princess in line for the throne on her planet." Again, a picture changed to show that of Astra before the radiation sickness had nearly ruined her coat and horn.

"This Alicorn unfortunately has passed on due to radiation sickness from the surface of our world." Celestia explained, "But before she died, she passed on a message from her sister. Starsha of Iscandar, Queen of Iscandar requests that we travel to their home planet. Once there, she will bestow on one of us, a magic that is unlike any other, and from what I understand, a power that even the Elements of Harmony do not possess."

Luna looked back at her sister, "And what power is that?"

"The power to return Equestria to it's former state." Gasps once again filled the room. "The radiation that poisons our world gone, the water returned, the grass and flowers blooming again, and the rain no longer acidic. Yes, they offer us a way to save our planet." Celestia looked down, "I know many of you find this offer, too good to be true, but if we are to save our planet, we must take risks. Otherwise, Equestria will fade into the night and never be alive again."

The Chamber was silent as Celestia finished for the moment. Letting the Mare's and Colts around think and question the idea of traveling to a completely unknown planet to retrieve some form of unknown magic that only exists there. The biggest question was how would they do it? No one asked until finally Applejack broke the silence.

"Princess, tha's all gud and sounds like it'd be ah great thang. But HOW in tha world do ya expect us ta get thar? I mean after all, it is another PLANET we're talking 'bout." She said trying to bring some reality to the conversation.

Twilight spoke up next, "I have the answer to that." she looked up at Celestia, "If I may Princess?"

Celestia nodded and Twilight took flight. "As you know we currently have no way of traveling faster than the speed of light. And after doing some research, I have discovered that Iscandar is roughly 148,000 Lightyears away from Equestria. Normally, a trip that length would take HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of years. But we only have one year left before everypony and everything on Equestria is gone forever." 

The Council listened intently as Twilight spoke. Many, literally, on the edge of their seats. "So, after much study I believe that I have come up with a way for us to do just that. Travel faster than light." A moment later, her horn glowed and a small box levitated up from where she had sat. "Inside this box contains the Elements of Harmony. Six Elements that represent the magic and power of friendship here on Equestria. By using the Elements I believe we can equip ONE ship, with them and use them as not only a source of power, but an Engine to Travel Faster than Light itself."

The crowd sat dumbfounded as Twilight explained her plan. Some turned their noses up in disgust of the idea of sending the Elements of Harmony away from Equestria and out of reach in case something drastic should happen. But then some looked back, realizing that not much more could go wrong than it already had. And then there were the ones that thought escape was preferable to trying to save EVERYPONY from dying. 

Celestia however, spoke up, "I encourage this plan and I am putting forward the motion. All those in favor of the Iscandar Plan, please say Aye." A loud ring of Aye's suddenly cried out from the council and several hooves shot up into the air so that someone could keep count. "All those opposed?" very little Aye's could be heard. Celestia smiled, "They Aye's have it! Immediately, a call shall be put out for volunteers for this project. Any Pony may volunteer, those Ponies who are under the age of 12 shall be given minor tasks aboard the ship of our choosing, such as cooking and message bearing."

Celestia stood from her seat, "Thank you all. Filthy Rich, I want a word with you if you don't mind?" Filthy Rich nodded and stood following Celestia out. The rest of the Council slowly filed out one by one, to draft plans to make sure that which of the two ships remaining should go, had the supplies needed to make the long trip to and from Iscandar.

Only the Six friends and Luna remained. They all gathered in the center of the chamber and began to speak amongst themselves.

"Wow Twilight, do you really think that you can get the Elements of Harmony to do that?!" Rarity asked in a rushed composure that even she was rare to exhibit.

Twilight nodded, "Yes, but in order to do it. All of you will need to come with me atleast to start it. I won't drag the rest of you with me on this mission."

"Hey! If you're going! We're all going!" Rainbow exclaimed as she hovered a few feet off the ground.

"Rainbow's right Sugarcube. We can't let you do this on your own." Applejack said placing a hoof on Twilight's shoulder.

Fluttershy nodded, "We're friends, and friends stick together."

"Someone needs to make sure that you crazy ponies don't forget how to dress! I'll start making uniforms right away!" Rarity said with a cheerful expression on her face.

"And someone needs to organize the 'Let's-Save-Equestria-From-The-Evil-Meanie's' party! And the 'Equestria-Is-Saved-From-The-Evil-Meanies' Party! Oh! And there's the 'First-Ship-To-Go-Wicked-Fast' Party! And then the-" Applejacks hoof covered Pinkie-Pies as the rant had started to grow a little too long.

Luna then stepped forward, "It is very brave of you all to volunteer right away. However, Twilight, I will be in Command of this Mission. You don't need that responsibility just yet. You focus on getting the Elements to work as the engine. And I will take care of everything else."

Twilight looked around at her friends and Princess Luna. "Thank you. Thank you all. It means so much to me to hear you all say that." And with that, she embraced them all in a hug and small giggle.